DragonStar4681

Just looking for fellow 8 owners in UT

Omicron

Usser Landon_Starr is from Utah...

Landon_Starr

Yep, that's me. Where'd you pick yours up from, Dragon?

If you're new to this forum, let me assure you ANYTHING you'd like to know or buy for your RX8 is discussed here. This has proven to be my best resource for information, since we really have only a couple good rotary techs in the state.

--Landon

DragonStar4681

I picked mine up at Bountiful Mazda. its like 5 min. from my house. what about you. Well i am wanting to get an exhaust and intake for my 8 but fear voiding my warranty. what modes do you have if any?

Landon_Starr

I bought mine from Murray. They don't care about intakes or exhaust for the warranty. I'm pretty good buddies with the service manager there, I'm sure I could introduce you. He even told me if I turbo/super charged it he wouldn't ask questions. I guess I just hope he doesn't quit anytime soon.

Aftermarket parts--

20" wheels, aftermarket leather, upgraded sunroof, clear corners, deciding between K&N & RE intake, ordering GREDDY exhaust in January. I plan on jumping on the canzoomer bandwagon with his piggyback system as soon as it's available. Custom stereo system being installed in January, plexiglass over the recessed spare-tire bay in the trunk with 2 amps & custom box integrated with all new carpeted interior(design specs already completed). Wish list(purchases within the next year, hopefully) includes the rear fog light, strakes, shaving emblems, DVD (probably aftermarket & going w/ the JDM tray).

I have a bit of an aftermarket sickness, if you haven't come to that conclusion yet.

DragonStar4681

i would say so. you have credit cards dont ya. j/k I think when i purchased my 8 they actually had to go get it from murray. right now im running all stock. Thats totatly cool that they wont ask questions. are you located in murray or else where? thanks for all the info to. Have you asked your dealer about getting the ECU reflashed like some people on here have been talking?

Landon_Starr

No, I get nervous having the techs in Murray change my oil, let alone reflash my chip. I don't have any respect for the Mazda techs out here. No experience.

--Landon

DragonStar4681

Cant say that i blame ya on that. I can understand how it would be difficult to find someone with alot of experiance. I my self am new to the rotary world. got stuck for the first time yesterday, this weather sucks real bad.

doccable

Dragon-
Have you seen this thread?
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=16559
This is what happened to me when I got my 8 stuck on ice.
Also, you might want to bookmark this site:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html
I copied all the TSB's before having my ECU flashed, and was all too ready and willing to break out my laptop and show the service manager. I didn't need to, though... especially when I mentioned that I had read the TSB's before I got there. The service manager did kind of look at me funny... The dealerships, service managers and techs are going to have to get used to the fact that more and more people are "doing thier homework" before showing up. :D
Here's to hoping for the snow and ice to melt off of the roads!
-Doc

DragonStar4681

Doc-
Did i read on another tread correctly that you are inline for CZ stage 1 mod? whats your thoughts on it? Thanks in advance

doccable

Hi,
Yea, I'm going to buy the stage 1 kit, especially now since CZ has modified it to the point that it will fit entirely inside the ECU. This is one of the mods I have definitely decided to do, along with a RE intake, a cat-back, and the grounding kit, (this one is already done). My thoughts are, (after talking to CZ), that it can't hurt to add a few extra ponies. Plain and simple. When I get it installed, I'll let you know how it turns out.
I can say that the grounding kit was a decent mod, it's in this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=16989
Hope this helps!
-Doc

Landon_Starr

That brings up a good question, Doc-

I've been trying to decide on which intake to go with. The RE looks nice with the heat shield & such, what made you decide on that intake versus the typhoon?

--Landon

Omicron

Lemme jump in here, as I already have the Rotary Extreme intake.

I went with that one first and foremost because I think the heat shielding is important. Without it, the engine will be sucking hot air in all day long, since the K&N filter element is so large that it even blocks the cold air inlet duct. Secondly, I got to know Chuck from RE pretty well before I bought, and not only felt he was as ethical as they come, but also enough so that if I didn't like the intake, I knew he would take it back. No guarantees with the K&N... it depends on the vendor that sold it to you, and most won't take back a "used" intake once it's been on the car.

Additionally, the RE makes for a cleaner install... it even has provisions for the stock engine cover. If you go with the K&N, you have to lose the engine cover as there will be no mounts for it in front any more.
EDIT: Sorry, my mistake. The K&N does come with a bracket so you can retain the stock engine cover.

Finally, I consider the RE intake and the K&N to be about equal value, even tho the RE is about $70 more. There is more than $70 worth of heat shielding that comes with it.

So how do I like it? In a word, it's awesome. I can feel the difference, which means it's increasing HP by around 10 HP or so. Conventional wisdom (and other member's experiences) tell that your "butt dyno" can detect increases of 10HP or more. Mine does. It also sounds EXCELLENT at wide open throttle, makes the car sound like a JET engine, rather than "just" a turbine like it does stock. You can really hear the rotary doing it's thing with this intake.

Hope this helps!

doccable

Well, that's it for me. I know which one I'm getting... :D Actually, I had already decided. I have also decided on Borla for exhaust, along with the stage 1 kit. CZ and I talked at great length about the stage 2... I wasn't certain until I talked it over with him. I'm only going with the stage 1. Stage 2 looks enticing enough, and even though I live in a state where the chances of getting caught are pretty much nil... I'm not takin' no chances!
-Doccable

Landon_Starr

GREAT. RE it is. =)

Secondly, why Borla?

This forum is really just getting way too big to read EVERY detail, especially when talking intake/exhaust. I figure find a couple people's opinion you trust, and go with it. =)

--Landon

DragonStar4681

so where did you guys get your clear corners and fender strakes?

Omicron

You just askin people from Utah?

DragonStar4681

anyone that wants to answer I did get a list of CZ items and but im not sure what the difference is on the strakes that are bright polished and brushed satin?

Omicron

Waaaal, I bought the Borla because it was the first thing on the market, at the right price, Borla is a great brand name, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I LOVED the way it sounded. Deep and powerful, mature, and not at all ricey.

I have never looked back since I got it, and am VERY happy with it. This is unusual in my experience, as when you're an early adopter of a product, sure as hell right after you buy it something comes out that is better and cheaper. This is hapilly not the case with the Borla, and it's still one of the most compelling choices on the market.

However, if I were in the market today, besides the Borla, I'd also take a good hard look at the Rotary Extreme, and maybe even the Greddy. The RE seems to be the best design from a flow standpoint, and I know Chuck (RE's owner) personally, and can tell you that if you weren't happy with the exhaust for any reason, he'd take it back without questions. Not many other vendors would take a "used" exhaust back, which it becomes once it goes on your car.

I also like the Greddy's looks and sound, and it's a great brand name too. And I really like the huge 'ol tips too. :D But really, besides those tips, it's no more compelling than the Borla.

So that's it... hope this helps.

Omicron

I got my clear corners from RotaryExtreme, who had as good a price on them as anyone at the time. This was before Canzoomer started carrying them, and vendors overall were limited. Today I'd buy on price alone, as all the units on the market are identical. I think the cheapest I've seen them is on eBay... do a search on RX8 or RX-8 and you'll see 'em eventually.

Only difference is the finish. The Brushed are not shiney, while the polished are. Your call as to which looks best. I personally don't have them yet, as I'm waiting for a cheaper pair to come out... $150-$200 is just too durn much for 4 little pieces of aluminum, IMHO! Altho, I DO keep thinking about them... :D

Landon_Starr

About 4 sets of fender strakes were sold by a Mada dealership at 149.99, I called him to see if he'd still sell them at that price. Turns out, he only had 4 sets and he acquired them in a way that MAZDA wasn't selling them, HE was, and he was just looking for a quick few bucks. Not likely we'll see prices around there again.

Regarding the clear corners, EBAY is a little more pricey than JTimports(www.jtimports.com). JT offers them at around $50 with free shipping. I haven't seen any prices like that on ebay...

Trussville Mazda's site is always a good solid low-priced option on parts, they offer the strakes at 195.....which I'm sure is matched all over the place.

--Landon

Landon_Starr

I'm in the EXACT same boat. =) It's kinda difficult to justify $200 for 4 pieces of small polished aluminum. <shrug>

I keep crossing my fingers for someone to manufacture a knock-off. I may end up breaking down, though, I put chrome wheels on my car and they would match just TOO well......(trying.......to.......maintain......com posure........hold off.......)

DragonStar4681

Ladon,
you going to the Auto Expo this weekend? i heard there is going to be alot of 8's there.

JivenMushu

RX-8 owner here... Up in Layton...

I picked mine up from Bountiful Mazda as well, back in November...

Landon_Starr

Yeah, hopefully. I have an enticing offer to go up to Vegas this weekend, though, so I may decide against it. I DO take the auto expo seriously, though, so I may wait until a little later on Saturday to go to Vegas so I can go check it out......

alot of 8's being shown??? Mazdaspeed 8 going to be there? I haven't heard anything about 8's being there.....interesting.

I'll probably run down there, now that I'm thinking about it.

--Landon